Vacation Scheme Intern Review

Item: Vacation Scheme Intern at A&O Shearman
Rating: 5
Author: Anonymous

at A&O Shearman

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Legal/Law

London

Review Submitted: December 2025

Overall Rating

5 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

5/5 - Overview of Experience

5/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Company Culture

5/5 - Overall Experience

5/5 - Recommendations and Advice

Overview of Experience

Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.

The winter vacation scheme compromised of mandatory session talks, mostly during the morning, and time with your trainer in your allocated seat. The session talks were very informative, covering the key practice areas at an easy-to-follow pace. The work with your trainer varied between teams but I found the work given very manageable and enjoyable - receiving consistent feedback to improve.

How would you rate the structure of the insight

5/5

What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?

The sessions were very good at improving your understanding of the route to law and the roles available. The trainee buddy I was allocated gave personal insight into the firms culture. During my seat and everyday work I also felt immersed in the firms culture and practices. I really felt like the firm had a welcoming and friendly environment.

Please rate how insightful you found the insight

5/5

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have developed my attention to detail skills when reviewing or marking up contracts. By working in a team my communication and collaboration skills were also improved.

How would you rate the training provided during your experience?

5/5

How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?

5/5

How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?

5/5

Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development

5/5

Company Culture

What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?

Very friendly and even high up partners were willing to have chats in between their busy schedule. The early careers team were focused on making the experience not competitive and instead foster connections between the other vacation schemers.

How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?

5/5

Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?

5/5

How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight

5/5

How would you rate the networking opportunities?

5/5

Overall Experience

To what extent did you enjoy the insight?

Overall, it was a very fun and enjoyable experience. I felt like I truly fit in with the firms culture and made friends with people in my seat and other vacation schemers. The sessions were very informative and I feel like the schedule for the week was perfect in allocating time to learn about practice areas and time actually sat in your team.